Three people killed after coach returning from Bestival crashes into tree

Three people have been killed and a number of others seriously injured after a coach returning from Bestival overturned after crashing into a tree last night (September 10).

The 51-seater coach was going north on the A3 road in Surrey when the crash happened near the Hindhead Tunnel at 11.50pm (BST) last night. According to BBC News, the coach veered off the carriageway between the tunnel and the Thursley exit and hit a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Three people have been killed and a number of others seriously injured after a coach returning from Bestival overturned after crashing into a tree last night (September 10).

The 51-seater coach was going north on the A3 road in Surrey when the crash happened near the Hindhead Tunnel at 11.50pm (BST) last night. According to BBC News, the coach veered off the carriageway between the tunnel and the Thursley exit and hit a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Three people were declared dead at the scene, while a number of passengers have been taken to hospital for treatment. One had to be airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with “life-changing injuries”, said police.

Speaking about the incident, investigating officer Inspector Richard Mallett said: “I understand the road was dry. We cannot see any reason that the road conditions would have had any effect on what occurred.”

Surrey Police Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirkby added: “This has been declared a major incident and we are working with our colleagues from the other emergency services and other partner agencies to provide a co-ordinated response in line with agreed protocols. Our thoughts remain with the relatives of the dead and the injured at this time and we are working very hard to notify their next of kin.”

The coach was owned by Merseyside Travel, whose owner Dave Hannel said that the coach left Aintree on Wednesday to travel to Bestival on the Isle of Wight and would have been returning home.

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